Three hours after racing past Tennessee 34-14 Sunday, the Chiefs became AFC West champions when Cincinnati upended four-time defending champion San Diego.

The Chargers' loss gave KC (10-5) its first division title since Dick Vermeil's 2003 Chiefs went 13-3. The 10 wins in Todd Haley's second season as head coach are six better than last year's 4-12 mark and match the total of the past three miserable seasons combined.

Minutes after beating the Titans, the Chiefs knew their playoff goal was oh, so close, and were in no mood to celebrate their historic turnaround.

"It just means we were just that bad last year," guard Brian Waters said. "Our goal is to get to the next part of the season."

They are there, although everyone around Arrowhead Stadium has been trying to avoid even saying the word "playoffs" all week. There was obvious pride in winning 10 games; in the Chiefs' first 50 years, five wins had been the biggest one-year improvement.

"It's a huge accomplishment," said quarterback Matt Cassel, who threw three touchdown passes in the first half against the Titans.

"It's a huge turnaround for us, being 4-12 and going through the year we did last year. I know there's a ton of adversity, and all those things were very difficult to handle at times. But to be here with 10 wins on our season and one win away from a division championship — I mean, it's remarkable to say the least."

Advertisement

Cassel connected with Jamaal Charles for touchdowns on KC's first two possessions and Eric Berry returned an interception 54 yards for another score as the Chiefs had 327 of their 458 total yards and all but three of their points while rolling up a 31-7 halftime lead.

One-day event to run slide down University HillIt's not quite the alternative mode of transportation that Boulder's used to, but, for one day this summer, residents will be able to traverse several city blocks atop inflatable tubes.